Government reverses on health care privacy problem

Published 6:44 am, Friday, January 23, 2015

FILE - This Nov. 12, 2014 file photo shows the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, on a laptop screen, shown in Portland, Ore.

FILE - This Nov. 12, 2014 file photo shows the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, on a laptop screen, shown in Portland, Ore.

Photo: Don Ryan

Government reverses on health care privacy problem

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WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is reversing itself after an outcry over consumer privacy on HealthCare.gov, the government's health insurance website.

The Associated Press confirms that the administration made changes to the website to scale back release of consumers' personal information to private companies that analyze Internet performance and sell ads.

The AP reported earlier this week that HealthCare.gov was sending out personal data such as age, income, ZIP code, tobacco use and whether a woman is pregnant.

That prompted lawmakers to demand an explanation. Privacy advocates called for immediate changes.

Administration officials at first defended the practice, saying the outside companies only used the data to analyze the workings of HealthCare.gov and make improvements for consumers.

An administration spokesman has not responded to a request for comment.